“The Dr. Martin Luther King Day of Service is part of our mission,” said Billy Falk, assistant director of alumni and student programs at St. Norbert College. “Service is a big part of what we do. It’s a big day for 170 of us from the college to come out and do a little service to the community at 11 sites.”
Courtney Arndt, a junior at St. Norbert College majoring in education, said she learned about the service opportunity through a social inequities class. “This is one of the options for experience to get out in public and see what goes on behind the scenes … and just to help out in the community.”
Beth Lonergan, a junior business major from Chicago, said the opportunity to observe the MLK holiday by volunteering was appropriate and rewarding.
“I think (poverty is) an issue that’s going on in the world today and if we can help out a little bit, we can make a difference,” she said. “So I think it’s great that the (college) does a day of service and I just wanted to participate and give a little back.”
This was the fourth consecutive year St. Norbert College has sponsored a day of service. Among other sites visited were the St. Vincent de Paul store, House of Hope and the NEW Community Shelter.
College representatives also visited Westwood and Notre Dame elementary schools in De Pere to teach students about King’s message of respect for others.
